Esaias Boursse: An officer of lascarins sitting on a bench (1662)
(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
A drawing made by the Dutch artist Esaias Boursse (1631-1672). This drawing is part of an album of 116 drawings from Ceylon (nowadays called Sri Lanka). Esaias Boursse entered the service of the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie or V.O.C.) and travelled to Ceylon in 1661 and made drawings of the island's inhabitants, landscapes, and city views. This drawing shows an officer of the lascarins. The lascarins were Cingalese soldiers in the service of the Dutch East India Company. The necklace he is wearing is a badge of the Dutch East India Company which states that he is in the service of the Company. Drawing from 1662.